Tips
Tips
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How to take care of your boots How to take care of your boots
Ahhh snowy sidewalks, slush, calcium marks on your boots... the many joys of winter! But seriously, to get back to calcium, is there anything worse than seeing your beautiful winter boots ruined by salt? Because, believe me, salt can actually ruin a pair of boots ...
So before you get there, I recommend you read these tips carefully so that your boots do not end up looking like mine !!
The first thing to know and to remember is to always clean the boot before applying any product. When I say clean, I mean using a clean wet cloth and a little bit of gentle soap, on the entire boot including the sole (avoid the fur if there is some). This step is even more important with leather boots, because, for example, if you apply a wax or a cream on a dirty boot, the leather will absorb the dirt and that is really not what we want! !
Leather boots
As you can tell from the picture of my ruined boots, the maintenance of leather is very important. The two products that I consider essential would be a waterproofing spray and a cream. A colorless waterproofing spray is really interesting to have since you can use it on all colors of leather, for your shoes as well as your bags or other accessories. I personally apply it as necessary; if I know the temperature of the next day requires it, I apply a good coat the evening before so they have time to dry before wearing them out. As for the cream, I apply a thin layer every two weeks, with a clean cloth making circular movements. The cream will moisturize and soften your leather and keep it from cracking like mine !!
Rubber boots
Maintaining your rubber boots is a bit simpler, but still essential. I recommend cleaning the boot with a wet and soapy clean cloth on a regular basis, say once a week. This prevents calcium from accumulating and gnawing the rubber. You can also use a waterproofing spray cause often (not always, so check well!!), leather waterproofing sprays can be used on other surfaces such as fabric and rubber.
Fur
If your boots have a fur trim, be careful when spraying them. I recommend trying to hide it with a plastic bag or a towel. If you find that the fur is missing some wow or if it's dirty, you can take a clean cloth soaked in warm water and gently slip over the fur to clean it. You can also brush it gently with a comb to remove the knots.
**TIPSSS**
If calcium has left a ring on your boots, don't panic! It's not too late!! Whether your boots are leather or rubber, take a clean cloth and pour a tiny bit of white vinegar. Gently rub the stained area and rinse well with warm water (especially the leather !!). Warning: can leave you with a strong desire to eat vinegar chips!!
So this is it! Keeping your feet warm in the winter is super important, the maintenance of your boots is therefore not negligible. Especially if you don't want to buy new ones every year !!
Ahhh snowy sidewalks, slush, calcium marks on your boots... the many joys of winter! But seriously, to get back to calcium, is there anything worse than seeing your beautiful winter boots ruined by salt? Because, believe me, salt can actually ruin a pair of boots ...
So before you get there, I recommend you read these tips carefully so that your boots do not end up looking like mine !!
The first thing to know and to remember is to always clean the boot before applying any product. When I say clean, I mean using a clean wet cloth and a little bit of gentle soap, on the entire boot including the sole (avoid the fur if there is some). This step is even more important with leather boots, because, for example, if you apply a wax or a cream on a dirty boot, the leather will absorb the dirt and that is really not what we want! !
Leather boots
As you can tell from the picture of my ruined boots, the maintenance of leather is very important. The two products that I consider essential would be a waterproofing spray and a cream. A colorless waterproofing spray is really interesting to have since you can use it on all colors of leather, for your shoes as well as your bags or other accessories. I personally apply it as necessary; if I know the temperature of the next day requires it, I apply a good coat the evening before so they have time to dry before wearing them out. As for the cream, I apply a thin layer every two weeks, with a clean cloth making circular movements. The cream will moisturize and soften your leather and keep it from cracking like mine !!
Rubber boots
Maintaining your rubber boots is a bit simpler, but still essential. I recommend cleaning the boot with a wet and soapy clean cloth on a regular basis, say once a week. This prevents calcium from accumulating and gnawing the rubber. You can also use a waterproofing spray cause often (not always, so check well!!), leather waterproofing sprays can be used on other surfaces such as fabric and rubber.
Fur
If your boots have a fur trim, be careful when spraying them. I recommend trying to hide it with a plastic bag or a towel. If you find that the fur is missing some wow or if it's dirty, you can take a clean cloth soaked in warm water and gently slip over the fur to clean it. You can also brush it gently with a comb to remove the knots.
**TIPSSS**
If calcium has left a ring on your boots, don't panic! It's not too late!! Whether your boots are leather or rubber, take a clean cloth and pour a tiny bit of white vinegar. Gently rub the stained area and rinse well with warm water (especially the leather !!). Warning: can leave you with a strong desire to eat vinegar chips!!
So this is it! Keeping your feet warm in the winter is super important, the maintenance of your boots is therefore not negligible. Especially if you don't want to buy new ones every year !!
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3 tips to appreciate winter (and stay toasty warm) 3 tips to appreciate winter (and stay toasty warm)
Ahhh winter! The season when you feel like hibernating under your blankets for the next three months. Personally, I like the winter. In fact, I learned to appreciate it when I realized that adding too many layers underneath a cheap jacket was never gonna make me all cosy and warm. Today I want to share my findings and provide motivation to get you out of bed even when its -40.
1 - Down is your friend !!
Most coats are insulated with a mixture of down and feathers. The higher the percentage of down, the warmer the coat is. I advise a minimum of 50/50, and you can go up to 90/10 (90% down and 10% feathers). What is really great about the down is that not only does it mold to your body, but it breathes! So if you get a little hot while sludging through the snow, the down will absorb your sweat and you're not gonna overheat! Coats with polyester are more affordable but the thing with polyester, is that it breathes less. Which means that if you get all hot and sweaty, the moisture will get into your coat, and you'll freeze!
2 – Hide those thighs !!
Yeah yeah, I know, you want to be all cute and sexy even in winter and don’t want to hide under a jacket all the way to your ankles. But ... the longer your jacket is the warmer you are. I’m sure you’ve all had the experience of walking headlong into chilly wind and thinking you may lose your legs to frostbite. Well the solution to this is (insert drum roll here) to choose a long coat! Slightly above the knee is perfect. Most coats even have a zipper that unzips at the bottom to give you some much needed space when you’re sitting on the subway or in your car. Wonderful, right?
3 – Hooded comfort
My last criteria necessary for a good winter coat: a big hood. I’ve never much liked wearing a hat so the quality of the hood is very important to me! With or without fur, your hood will protect your face from the wind and (if like me you never wear a hat) keep the ears toasty warm. Warning, if the hood is large, check that there’s a possibility to attach it. Otherwise you might lose it the minute there’s a bit of wind. Worst case scenario, you can easily head to your local seamstress to add a button. I have a soft spot for Soïa & Kyo’s super comfortable hoodsAnd there it is! My 3 little tips for investing in a quality warm coat. Winter becomes much more enjoyable and if you take care of your coat you’ll have it for year’s to come!
Ahhh winter! The season when you feel like hibernating under your blankets for the next three months. Personally, I like the winter. In fact, I learned to appreciate it when I realized that adding too many layers underneath a cheap jacket was never gonna make me all cosy and warm. Today I want to share my findings and provide motivation to get you out of bed even when its -40.
1 - Down is your friend !!
Most coats are insulated with a mixture of down and feathers. The higher the percentage of down, the warmer the coat is. I advise a minimum of 50/50, and you can go up to 90/10 (90% down and 10% feathers). What is really great about the down is that not only does it mold to your body, but it breathes! So if you get a little hot while sludging through the snow, the down will absorb your sweat and you're not gonna overheat! Coats with polyester are more affordable but the thing with polyester, is that it breathes less. Which means that if you get all hot and sweaty, the moisture will get into your coat, and you'll freeze!2 – Hide those thighs !!
Yeah yeah, I know, you want to be all cute and sexy even in winter and don’t want to hide under a jacket all the way to your ankles. But ... the longer your jacket is the warmer you are. I’m sure you’ve all had the experience of walking headlong into chilly wind and thinking you may lose your legs to frostbite. Well the solution to this is (insert drum roll here) to choose a long coat! Slightly above the knee is perfect. Most coats even have a zipper that unzips at the bottom to give you some much needed space when you’re sitting on the subway or in your car. Wonderful, right?3 – Hooded comfort
My last criteria necessary for a good winter coat: a big hood. I’ve never much liked wearing a hat so the quality of the hood is very important to me! With or without fur, your hood will protect your face from the wind and (if like me you never wear a hat) keep the ears toasty warm. Warning, if the hood is large, check that there’s a possibility to attach it. Otherwise you might lose it the minute there’s a bit of wind. Worst case scenario, you can easily head to your local seamstress to add a button. I have a soft spot for Soïa & Kyo’s super comfortable hoodsAnd there it is! My 3 little tips for investing in a quality warm coat. Winter becomes much more enjoyable and if you take care of your coat you’ll have it for year’s to come!
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SOS Hair SOS Hair
HELP your hair
In one of my recent blog posts, I talked bout my love for statement necklaces and how they add punch to any outfit. There was a time when my punch was a little higher than my neck... in fact it was directly on my head. Yes, I admit it, I was a fan of crazy color dyeing, all the way from pink to electric blue, through to orange-crush and bright purple.
In my small town, I used to be known as the girl with the colorful hair, and yes I thought it was rather hilarious. If I thought it was funny at the time, I admit that three years later, I'm still paying the price! Let's say that bleaching your hair every two weeks is not the best thing for beautiful and healthy hair! Long story short, for over a year I have tried lots of stuff to bring my hair back to life.. let me share my top 3 products with you.
Phyto – Phytokératine extreme
The first product that I used and that I was impressed with from the first shampoo is Phytokératine extreme exceptional shampoo from the Phyto brand. This is a range that is quite expensive (about thirty dollars per 100 g), but as it was offered to me for Christmas... I was very happy to try it. From the first shampoo, I only used the Phyto shampoo combined with a conditioner that I already owned. The result was instant: silky hair, extremely soft and without my traditional "crazy flyaways". I give it A + for the instant result, for the fact that there is no paraben nor silicone and that it smells nice (can't be overlooked !!). Even so, I no longer use it. Why? I admit that the price made me hesitate, but it's mostly because I noticed that when I used another shampoo (even just once!) my hair lost all it's brilliance and flexibility and went back to being as dry as it was before I started using this product. I felt like my dry hair problem was hidden rather than resolved.
Coconut Oil
We hear of coconut oil everywhere! While it has many benefits on the culinary level, it also has many cosmetic properties! The one that interests us today: the hair mask! Coconut oil is solid when cold and completely liquid when warm. I find it easier to apply when it is thick, so in the summer I suggest you keep it in the refrigerator. The application is simple: you take a handful of oil in your hand, rub it between your palms to warm it up a bit and you apply it to your entire length, on wet or dry hair (I've always applied it on dry hair, but both are possible). I advise you to avoid going too close to the root as you may end up with a greasy scalp and that's not what you want! There's a limit to hydration!! Once all your hair is covered (paying particular attention to the tips), pull your hair up so as not to grease your clothes and keep the mask on for at least thirty minutes. Be careful: the oil will drip! This is not the time to wear your favorite sweater! Rinse your hair with warm water and shampoo as usual! Note: you must be careful to choose a 100% natural coconut oil; if it has been modified, the results may not be as effective. You will find it in the bio section of your grocery or health food store. You can repeat the exercise every two weeks for best results. You can also cover your head with a towel and keep the mask on for the night!
Lush Trip – shampoo, conditioner and mask
The last formula is the one I currently use and it is composed of Lush products. I have been a consumer of Lush's fresh masks and bath bombs for some time, but I have only explored their range of hair products recently ... and I regret not having tried it before! They offer several formulas/combos, depending on your needs. My sos hair-dry formula consists of the shampoo Jersey Bounce and the conditioner Retread. Together, they contain a ton of key ingredients for repair / maintenance of hair! Some examples: Sea salt, eggs, honey, agar gel, olive oil, jojoba oil and soooo many others! In addition to the amazing smell (the shampoo is a happy blend of lemon and bergamot oil and the conditioner is a mix of melon and violets), they make considerably softer hair, eliminate frizz (or crazy hair) and nourish the hair for long-term results! And THAT is what we want! For extra hydration, I use the mask Fluff-ease with jasmine and henna once a week that I apply to dry hair and leave for twenty minutes before washing as usual - using my Lush duo. I also use the spray Sunny Day before brushing or during the day to remove stubborn frizz. Every time I use this spray, I get comments ALL day long as to how good my hair smells! It's an amazing product!! I must say, I'm pretty addicted to their products... the shampoo-conditioner duo is enough to see results quickly and for the long term! Prices are around $ 20 for 225g or 290g.
So there you go, I hope it will make you want to take care of your hair! Of course, no product is a miracle worker! It's important to cut your split ends regularly to keep your hair strong and healthy! The use of the dryer and iron (flat or curling) is also very damaging to the hair so remember to apply a cream or moisturizing spray after each use! Let me know, what are your favorite products?
HELP your hair
In one of my recent blog posts, I talked bout my love for statement necklaces and how they add punch to any outfit. There was a time when my punch was a little higher than my neck... in fact it was directly on my head. Yes, I admit it, I was a fan of crazy color dyeing, all the way from pink to electric blue, through to orange-crush and bright purple.
In my small town, I used to be known as the girl with the colorful hair, and yes I thought it was rather hilarious. If I thought it was funny at the time, I admit that three years later, I'm still paying the price! Let's say that bleaching your hair every two weeks is not the best thing for beautiful and healthy hair! Long story short, for over a year I have tried lots of stuff to bring my hair back to life.. let me share my top 3 products with you.
Phyto – Phytokératine extreme
The first product that I used and that I was impressed with from the first shampoo is Phytokératine extreme exceptional shampoo from the Phyto brand. This is a range that is quite expensive (about thirty dollars per 100 g), but as it was offered to me for Christmas... I was very happy to try it. From the first shampoo, I only used the Phyto shampoo combined with a conditioner that I already owned. The result was instant: silky hair, extremely soft and without my traditional "crazy flyaways". I give it A + for the instant result, for the fact that there is no paraben nor silicone and that it smells nice (can't be overlooked !!). Even so, I no longer use it. Why? I admit that the price made me hesitate, but it's mostly because I noticed that when I used another shampoo (even just once!) my hair lost all it's brilliance and flexibility and went back to being as dry as it was before I started using this product. I felt like my dry hair problem was hidden rather than resolved.
Coconut Oil
We hear of coconut oil everywhere! While it has many benefits on the culinary level, it also has many cosmetic properties! The one that interests us today: the hair mask! Coconut oil is solid when cold and completely liquid when warm. I find it easier to apply when it is thick, so in the summer I suggest you keep it in the refrigerator. The application is simple: you take a handful of oil in your hand, rub it between your palms to warm it up a bit and you apply it to your entire length, on wet or dry hair (I've always applied it on dry hair, but both are possible). I advise you to avoid going too close to the root as you may end up with a greasy scalp and that's not what you want! There's a limit to hydration!! Once all your hair is covered (paying particular attention to the tips), pull your hair up so as not to grease your clothes and keep the mask on for at least thirty minutes. Be careful: the oil will drip! This is not the time to wear your favorite sweater! Rinse your hair with warm water and shampoo as usual! Note: you must be careful to choose a 100% natural coconut oil; if it has been modified, the results may not be as effective. You will find it in the bio section of your grocery or health food store. You can repeat the exercise every two weeks for best results. You can also cover your head with a towel and keep the mask on for the night!
Lush Trip – shampoo, conditioner and mask
The last formula is the one I currently use and it is composed of Lush products. I have been a consumer of Lush's fresh masks and bath bombs for some time, but I have only explored their range of hair products recently ... and I regret not having tried it before! They offer several formulas/combos, depending on your needs. My sos hair-dry formula consists of the shampoo Jersey Bounce and the conditioner Retread. Together, they contain a ton of key ingredients for repair / maintenance of hair! Some examples: Sea salt, eggs, honey, agar gel, olive oil, jojoba oil and soooo many others! In addition to the amazing smell (the shampoo is a happy blend of lemon and bergamot oil and the conditioner is a mix of melon and violets), they make considerably softer hair, eliminate frizz (or crazy hair) and nourish the hair for long-term results! And THAT is what we want! For extra hydration, I use the mask Fluff-ease with jasmine and henna once a week that I apply to dry hair and leave for twenty minutes before washing as usual - using my Lush duo. I also use the spray Sunny Day before brushing or during the day to remove stubborn frizz. Every time I use this spray, I get comments ALL day long as to how good my hair smells! It's an amazing product!! I must say, I'm pretty addicted to their products... the shampoo-conditioner duo is enough to see results quickly and for the long term! Prices are around $ 20 for 225g or 290g.
So there you go, I hope it will make you want to take care of your hair! Of course, no product is a miracle worker! It's important to cut your split ends regularly to keep your hair strong and healthy! The use of the dryer and iron (flat or curling) is also very damaging to the hair so remember to apply a cream or moisturizing spray after each use! Let me know, what are your favorite products?
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A jacket for every silhouette A jacket for every silhouette
Image source : http://www.thechicfashionista.com/There’s millions of women all over Canada with no two the same shape or size. Variety is the spice of life and while its to be celebrated it can become a problem when the time comes to buy clothes. Especially when you’re shopping for a new winter jacket as it’s an investment you don’t want to regret! I went through our most popular jackets and selected three models suitable to the three most common body types.
Hourglass Figure
Have a small waist? Lucky you, don’t be afraid to flaunt it! Opt for a coat with a belt that accentuates your waist. Avoid boxy cuts as they camouflage your best feature.
The Gloria jacket by Rudsak is an excellent choice for you!
Pear shape
Pear shaped (or A shape) is the term used to describe a woman who has larger hips and thighs, but smaller across the shoulders. Choose a coat with lots of details from the waist up, like a big fur collar, leather details at the shoulders, a large hood, chest pockets, etc. The Contessa by Ookpik World is a great example; very few details at the bottom and a big fur collar to balance out your figure. Added bonus, as it sits just above the knee, it does not cut your figure in half!
The reversed triangle
This is more or less the opposite of the pear; broad shoulders with narrow hips. Trick the eye by wearing a coat with lots of detail in the bottom half of the jacket. I love the Caney by Rudsak, its large square front pockets make it a great choice. Jackets with imposing collars or a lot of embellishments on the shoulders are to be avoided.
I hope these tips will be useful during your next shopping spree!
Don’t forget that its always a pleasure for our staff in-store and online help you pick a style and size that will suit you best, don’t hesitate to come see us! And most importantly, remember that pear, hourglass or triangle ... you are all beautiful!
Image source : http://www.thechicfashionista.com/There’s millions of women all over Canada with no two the same shape or size. Variety is the spice of life and while its to be celebrated it can become a problem when the time comes to buy clothes. Especially when you’re shopping for a new winter jacket as it’s an investment you don’t want to regret! I went through our most popular jackets and selected three models suitable to the three most common body types.
Hourglass Figure
Have a small waist? Lucky you, don’t be afraid to flaunt it! Opt for a coat with a belt that accentuates your waist. Avoid boxy cuts as they camouflage your best feature.
The Gloria jacket by Rudsak is an excellent choice for you!
Pear shape
Pear shaped (or A shape) is the term used to describe a woman who has larger hips and thighs, but smaller across the shoulders. Choose a coat with lots of details from the waist up, like a big fur collar, leather details at the shoulders, a large hood, chest pockets, etc. The Contessa by Ookpik World is a great example; very few details at the bottom and a big fur collar to balance out your figure. Added bonus, as it sits just above the knee, it does not cut your figure in half!
The reversed triangle
This is more or less the opposite of the pear; broad shoulders with narrow hips. Trick the eye by wearing a coat with lots of detail in the bottom half of the jacket. I love the Caney by Rudsak, its large square front pockets make it a great choice. Jackets with imposing collars or a lot of embellishments on the shoulders are to be avoided.
I hope these tips will be useful during your next shopping spree!
Don’t forget that its always a pleasure for our staff in-store and online help you pick a style and size that will suit you best, don’t hesitate to come see us! And most importantly, remember that pear, hourglass or triangle ... you are all beautiful!
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Laundry : How to take care of your clothes (to make them last longer) Laundry : How to take care of your clothes (to make them last longer)
We'd all love clothes that last forever and whose colors are still as bright as day one. Ahhh it would be so wonderful, but let's be realistic: the life of our clothing is far from being eternal. Whether it's a manufacturing problem or a simple tomato sauce accident (oops), the factor that has the greatest influence on the life of a garment is how you take care of it, more precisely, how you wash it. Keeping in mind that it is best to wash clothes of similar colors together, I'm sharing with you 3 tips for washing white and black!
Black
We've all had a black garment that has turned gray too quickly. My clothes being almost all black, through trial and error I have some tips to prevent fading while keeping the same detergent for every color.
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With black clothes, it's super important to avoid hot water. Cold water is your best ally to combat fading! If you put your clothes in the dryer, it's important not to leave them there longer than necessary because, as with hot water, heat is damaging in the long term. The best way to dry them is to let them dry in the open air! Yes with a could old-fashioned clothesline.
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Washing your clothes inside out is also very effective in slowing fading!
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The first time you put a black piece of clothes (or any dark color) in the washer, add a cup of white vinegar (or white wine vinegar) in addition to your detergent. The vinegar will help set the color in place.
White
We've all experienced the frustration of seeing our favorite white sweater turn gray or yellow after a few washes. Before throwing it in the trash, or for your next white shopping spree, you'll want to try these three things!
-
Use a washing powder. Detergents in powder or capsules contain bleaching agents that will help keep your clothes as white as possible! Another plus, they emit less surfactants (not good stuff) and therefore are a little better for the environment. In addition, they are easier to dose!
-
Unlike black clothes, whites require hot water to prevent yellowing or becoming greyish.
-
Add ¼ to ½ cup of baking soda to your laundry. Baking soda will effectively enhance the effect of the detergent (and its cheap).
Once your have these things in mind, remember that before doing anything, you should always look at the ticket on the garment because it's the best guide to maintain your garment. If the label suggests dry clean only ... there's a reason !! I'm the first to say "Bahhh, it can't be that bad if I put it on the gentle cycle, just once ..." Well yes, it can be serious! Even at delicate, your clothing could be weakened and will have a shortened lifespan.
So there you go! if you follow these simple instructions, your clothes should stay brighter and last longer!We'd all love clothes that last forever and whose colors are still as bright as day one. Ahhh it would be so wonderful, but let's be realistic: the life of our clothing is far from being eternal. Whether it's a manufacturing problem or a simple tomato sauce accident (oops), the factor that has the greatest influence on the life of a garment is how you take care of it, more precisely, how you wash it. Keeping in mind that it is best to wash clothes of similar colors together, I'm sharing with you 3 tips for washing white and black!
Black
We've all had a black garment that has turned gray too quickly. My clothes being almost all black, through trial and error I have some tips to prevent fading while keeping the same detergent for every color.
-
With black clothes, it's super important to avoid hot water. Cold water is your best ally to combat fading! If you put your clothes in the dryer, it's important not to leave them there longer than necessary because, as with hot water, heat is damaging in the long term. The best way to dry them is to let them dry in the open air! Yes with a could old-fashioned clothesline.
-
Washing your clothes inside out is also very effective in slowing fading!
-
The first time you put a black piece of clothes (or any dark color) in the washer, add a cup of white vinegar (or white wine vinegar) in addition to your detergent. The vinegar will help set the color in place.
White
We've all experienced the frustration of seeing our favorite white sweater turn gray or yellow after a few washes. Before throwing it in the trash, or for your next white shopping spree, you'll want to try these three things!
-
Use a washing powder. Detergents in powder or capsules contain bleaching agents that will help keep your clothes as white as possible! Another plus, they emit less surfactants (not good stuff) and therefore are a little better for the environment. In addition, they are easier to dose!
-
Unlike black clothes, whites require hot water to prevent yellowing or becoming greyish.
-
Add ¼ to ½ cup of baking soda to your laundry. Baking soda will effectively enhance the effect of the detergent (and its cheap).
Once your have these things in mind, remember that before doing anything, you should always look at the ticket on the garment because it's the best guide to maintain your garment. If the label suggests dry clean only ... there's a reason !! I'm the first to say "Bahhh, it can't be that bad if I put it on the gentle cycle, just once ..." Well yes, it can be serious! Even at delicate, your clothing could be weakened and will have a shortened lifespan.
So there you go! if you follow these simple instructions, your clothes should stay brighter and last longer! -
